Rain begins in Karachi, surrounding areas as local authorities declare emergency

Rain was reported from various parts of Karachi on Thursday as a westerly wave affecting most parts of the country reached the metropolis.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) recorded rainfall in various areas, including Quaidabad, Malir and surrounding areas, as well as PAF Faisal Base and Jinnah Terminal, earlier this morning.

Light rain has also been recorded in Gulshan-i-Maymar and surrounding areas, with spells of heavy rain reported in Gulistan-i-Jauhar, Saddar, Clifton, Garden and Keamari.

The latest weather radar imagery showed a heavy downpour over the northern parts of the city, along with isolated hail.

Today’s maximum temperature is expected to be between 25 and 27 degrees Celsius, according to the PMD. It is expected to be mostly cloudy, with strong winds and thundershowers and heavy rain at a few places.

Rain emergency declared in Karachi

A rain emergency has been declared in Karachi as the rainfall is expected to continue.

Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi said that the city administration had activated measures to deal with the weather, adding that citizens could contact the rescue helpline at 1299 for any complaints or to seek help.

The staff of relevant institutions have been deployed under the supervision of assistant commissioners, he added.

He said that water corporation, town administration, solid waste management board staff and necessary machinery and vehicles are present, and the work of removing water from the roads where water has accumulated is in progress. The waste management board will report to the commissioner.

“They will perform relief work and grievance redressal duties including helping in water drainage traffic problems,” he said.

To deal with the rains, all deputy commissioners have been directed to remain alert and the concerned officers to remain in the field.

In addition, the following rain emergency help desks and camps have been established in various districts and sub-divisions on the instructions of the commissioner.

In District East, nurseries, Nepa Chowrangi, National Stadium, Exhibition Chowrangi, Samama Chowk, Madras Chowk, Safoora Chowrangi and Sohrab Goth have been established.

In District South, DC offices have been established in MA Jinnah Road, Shaheen Complex Chowk, KMT Main Office, Town Administration Lyari Office Chakiwara and other areas.

In Keamari District, they are in Baldia Town Office, the Keamari DC’s office, Truck Stand Mauripur and Gulberg Interchange Site.

In District Central, water pumps have been established at Ayesha Manzil and other places in the Gulberg sub-division, while arrangements are being made for more.

They are also established in Model Colony, Kala Board, National Highway, Saudabad Chowrangi, Landhi Fisherman Chowrangi, and Shah Faisal TMC Boys School Colony No. 2.

Sindh government cautions citizens, makes advance arrangements

The Sindh government appealed to citizens to be careful in the rainy weather.

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that in view of the rains, advance arrangements had been made and the leaves of essential staff had been cancelled.

Additional de-watering pumps have been installed for the timely drainage of rainwater from low-lying areas, he said, while choking points had already been identified at various places in the city. Additional de-watering pumps had been installed by deploying staff to monitor the choking points, he added.

“The officers of the relevant provincial government institutions and local government institutions have been instructed to remain in the field on high alert,” he added.

The protection of citizens was the responsibility of the government, the senior minister said.

He directed citizens to follow precautionary measures and contact the relevant institutions immediately in case of emergency.

Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Javed Alam Odho has also directed police control rooms to remain on high alert, adding that full contact should be maintained with rescue agencies to deal with emergency situations.

More to follow